Ca'Rugate Valpolicella Superiore DOC Campo Lavei 2016, Veneto

Tasting Note

Deep ruby red in colour. Intense aromas of black fruit and cherries, and a twist of spice from the wood, followed by a mellow rounded palate with elegant tannin balance.

Producer Note

The family business has been handed down through the generations of the Tessari family since the early 1900's. The estate was renamed Ca'Rugate in 1986, taking its name from the volcanic hills where the vineyards are located. Now run by the fourth generation, Michele has brought with him a lively, passionate and entrepreneurial spirit. Considerable expansion has taken place in recent years with investment in a new technologically advanced cellar and expansion into the Valpolicella area with the purchase of vineyards in the hilly zone of Montecchia di Crosara. Ca'Rugate has been awarded the prestigious 'Tre Bicchieri' award rating from Gambero Rosso multiple times, making it one of the most awarded producers in the competition and has been hailed by the New York Times as one of the "Top Five producers of high end Soave".

Vineyard

At the beginning of October, some of the harvested grapes are set aside to dry in wooden trays until the end of December.

Winemaking

The undried grapes are de-stemmed and fermented straight after the harvest. The dried grapes are added later and allowed to ferment in stainless steel for a week before pressing at the end of December. The wine is then transferred into small barrels to finish fermentation and then mature in wood for 8 to 10 months.